Visitors arrive in path of totality for Monday's solar eclipse

CASPER, WY (FOX 26) - On Monday, Aug. 21, the entire nation will have the opportunity to take part in the solar eclipse, but only a sliver of the U.S. will view the total solar eclipse. Among those locations is Casper, Wyoming, where a group from Houston has arrived.

Over 200 people have traveled with the Houston Museum of Natural Science to take part in this historic event.

A crowd, unlike one typically seen in Casper, descends on the city's downtown. Lifetime residents welcoming the travelers from not just the United States, but the world.

"It's nice to see everybody in Wyoming and I know for sure Casper because we are from here," says Angela Boyles, who took part in the downtown festivities where hundreds, even thousands are hanging out during the weekend leading up to the solar eclipse.

Meanwhile, registration is underway at the hotel in Casper, serving as 'home base' for those who traveled from Houston to watch the solar phenomenon.

"A bucket list item of mine for a long time and now I finally get to be satisfied," says Houston resident Bernard Rosenbaum.

Bernard is bringing his telescope that he says has traveled all over the U.S. with him. Some, though, are arriving with no equipment except their special glasses to view the eclipse.

"And what I've read, it has an eerie feeling," says Renee Lance, who also arrived in Casper from Houston.

And as the star of this weekend's party hangs in the sky, anticipation is building for the history that everyone in Casper will get a chance to witness.

"Family is coming in from Oklahoma City and we're going to do a backyard barbecue for a couple of hours and watch it go down," says Casper resident Heather Harns.

On Sunday, folks with HMNS will set up their equipment on the parking lot, serving as a dry run for Monday, when the sun will be totally eclipsed by the moon for a total of 2 minutes and 26 seconds.